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Archive for the ‘Benefits’ Category

Three Major Benefits of Green Tea

November 4th, 2008
smoothie health benefits
Tom G.antion asked:


A plethora of images, memories and ideas come up when someone thinks of a cup of tea. For some it is gallons of sun tea brewing on the back porch while for others it is a memory of cold nights by the fireplace. One of the most popular teas to brew out of all the ones on the market is green tea. There are numerous benefits to green tea that can range from flavor to health benefits. The following are the three major benefits of green tea: enjoyment, energy and essential health benefits.

Enjoyment

The sheer enjoyment that goes along with a soothing cup of green tea is perhaps the simplest benefit. This drink is a favorite because of its light and delicate flavors which makes it a good complement to breakfasts, lunch and dinner. Green tea is fabulous with honey even though it can be served with or without sweetners. Green tea is not longer only being served as a hot beverage. Now it is served as a cold bottled beverages and a component in smoothies or frappes. Now you can enjoy the flavor of green tea even on hot summer days.

Energy

Another benefit of green tea in addition to enjoyment is the energy factor. Green tea has caffeine like coffee. Green tea contains less caffeine, but it is still a great way to get over the late afternoon hump. The benefit of green tea is actually this small dose of caffeine since it is just enough to give you a boost but doesn’t cause the jittery, anxious feeling typically associated with other caffeinated beverages. So consider pouring a hot cup of water and dipping in a bag of green tea the next time you go to the coffee machine in your office.

Essential Health Benefits

Two great benefits of green tea are the enjoyment and energy, but the greatest benefit is the health benefits. These are becoming increasingly more noticeable with green tea. Antioxidants are abundant in green tea and they help counterbalance free radicals. As a result of our bodies natural metabolic processes, free radical are produced which cause damage to our cells. Antioxidants prevent some of this damage by counterbalancing these free radicals. Follow the urge to grab a cup and enjoy some green tea no matter which of the three benefits interest you.

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Pineapples: the Healing Fruit of the Tropics (includes a Recipe for Pina-banana Orange Smoothie

October 19th, 2008
smoothie health benefits
Anidhanta asked:


For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which play a major role in the body’s healing process.

Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieve indigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break down the amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good digestion.

Pineapples also provide an ample supply of vitamin C, a commonly known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorbs iron, and synthesizes amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of colds and infections.

Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your oral health as well. Recent studies have found that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Besides increasing the ability of connective tissue to repair itself, vitamin C also increases the body’s ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

So if you are searching for a natural way to enhance your body’s healing mechanisms, promote overall good health and tantalize your taste buds, pineapples are the way to go. Choose the fresh fruit because it has the most healing properties. Unfortunately, most of the bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyed due to the heat used in the canning process.

When choosing a fresh pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based upon color. There are several varieties on the market that range from green to golden yellow. The most important factor in determining ripeness is smell, let your nose help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor or have any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration. Once home, let the pineapple sits on your counter at room temperature until ready to use. This will preserve its sweet and tangy flavor.

To prepare pineapple, you need to peel it, remove the eyes (the thorny protrusions within the puffy squares of the skin) and the fibrous center. One way to do this is to remove the top of the pineapple with a sharp knife. Then cut the pineapple lengthwise into 4 wedges (quarter it) and place each pineapple wedge horizontally on a cutting board. Carefully cut the fruit from the outer skin, and cut out the eyes and fibrous center core.

Another way is to cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, place the pineapple vertically (upright) on a cutting board and carefully slice off the outer skin. With a sharp paring knife or the end if a vegetable peeler, remove the eyes. Don’t cut too deep, just enough to lift out the section that contains the eye. Then, slice the pineapple crosswise and remove the fibrous core individually with a cookie cutter.

Once the fruit is prepared, it can be diced and eaten fresh, added to salads and entrees for an exotic flavor, or made into tasty tropical drinks and smoothies.

To get you started, try Monique N. Gilbert’s delicious, nutritious, cholesterol-free smoothie recipe. It’s high in bromelain, vitamin C, beta carotene, potassium, thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), iron, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and soy is flavones.

Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie

__________________________________________

1 frozen banana

1 cup fresh pineapple

1/2 cup soymilk

1/3 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon canned pumpkin

1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

__________________________________________

Place all of the above ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.

Makes about 2-3/4 cups (2 servings)

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Am I eating enough, in need of help, any is appreciated:)?

September 9th, 2008
smoothie health benefits
pdot asked:


So, basically I’m a health freak. I’m 18. I exercise reguarly (4-5 times a week) and I ration my meals to control carbs, calories, and ensure I have enough dairy, vegetables and fruits and the whole deal, but I don’t know if I’m doing it right. Here is a typical day.

Breakfast: A smoothie consisting of
1 cup of milk
1 Package of “Nestle breakfast anytime” smoothie mix, which has a huge list of impressive nutritional benefits
A small piece of flavoured silken tofu (50 calories)
3 servings of frozen fruit (banana, mangoe, and usually a berry serving)
A pinch of flax seed

Snack: 1 Serving fruit/vegetable

Lunch:
1 serving of Whole wheat/multigrain bread/pita with a tbsp of Hazelnut spread
1 serving of cheese/yogurt

Snack: An espresso with a pastry type snack which is 220 calories or less

Dinner: 1 serving whole wheat cous-cous with at least 3 vegetables

I also drink a lot of water, and may nibble on dried peas or almonds in between
Am I doing anything wrong?
I forgot to mention with dinner I may have a porkchop or chicken or somehthing
Is this enough protein?
I am also concerned that if I am not eating enough, and I start to eat more I will gain. “Judy” in the second answer, (much appreciated) said that I should increase my intake to be healthy, but will I experience an increase?

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The Surge In Functional Health Beverages

September 2nd, 2008
smoothie health benefits
Janice Willingham asked:


Improve your memory? Lift your mood? Relieve tension? A growing market of functional health beverages enhanced with herbs and other ingredients promise to improve your health. But do these drinks really offer health benefits? Judging by the reaction to these products the answer is a resounding, yes.

Americans want to be healthier and also discover the fountain of youth and longevity. The food industry is rushing to fulfill this new desire. The new buzzword is functional health beverages and foods. Functional beverages (also known as neutraceuticals) are beverages fortified with dietary supplements and herbal medicines. And they are becoming a multi billion dollar industry.

Experts predict Americans will buy more bottled water than coffee or beer. Artificial flavors are losing ground to drinks with all natural claims. Antioxidant tea products are now the rage. And at least one brand of coffee is adding herbs and minerals to its beans. Energy drinks are the fastest growing supermarket category with sports drinks right behind.

Japan was a pioneer in functional beverages and foods consuming nearly twice as many functional beverages as any other nationality. The Japanese have always made the direct connection between what you eat and drink and what you are, and they’ve long viewed their diets as being a primary source of health and medication.

Energy drinks have been established in Japan for decades and are also known as tonic drinks. Initially targeted at young consumers (and routinely used by this demographic as alcohol drink mixes), these drinks are now being aimed at people of all ages who need a healthy energy boost.

People now understand that almost everything we take in has some kind of effect. This is a new kind of knowledge. Consumers are more empowered because of this knowledge, and companies are responding to this new found personal edification.

Other market sectors are continuing to expand. Enriched juices and juice-based drinks fortified with vitamins and minerals are gaining in popularity, as are herbal-infused beverages. All this goes well for the functional beverages industry.

Functional health beverages are going more mainstream, because consumers have become much more holistic-minded, so companies are now meeting them in the middle. There is a consciousness out there now that very small amounts of something can have a very significant effect.

The functional beverages industry has attracted the attention of traditional beverage manufacturers focused on expanding their product ranges in the face of falling sales of old stand-bys such as carbonates. Pepsi’s purchase of Gatorade and South Beach Beverages Sobe, Cadbury Schweppes purchase of the Snapple and Mistic brands and Coca-Cola’s acquisition of Mad River Traders are a few examples.

Products affiliated with major sporting brands, such as Reebok and Umbro sports and performance drinks, also are infiltrating the market. More sophisticated products, such as fast-rehydration drinks, are becoming popular, especially in Japan, where stamina enhancing sports drinks with added ingredients to aid performance are becoming more popular.

Wellness and nutraceutical drink products are increasingly being targeted at specific segments of the population, for example, age, gender, lifestyle and particular health conditions. Examples include Sunny Delight for children and drinks for women. Targeting specific segments of the population has been the motivation for many new products such as, women-specific products, issue-oriented products, for example, prostate and ****** cancer prevention.

At present, the sports drink market is the most mature and therefore presents little opportunity for growth, which has become apparent already in the US and Japanese markets. Across all functional health beverage product lines, energy drinks are the fastest-growing sector, a trend that shows no sign of slowing in the immediate future.

The nutraceutical-wellness drink sector is the least developed but possibly the most exciting category, with drinks containing ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics, soy proteins and phytosterols. Over-the-top premium pricing policies have also restricted sales in some circumstances, although a recent US survey showed 40 per cent of consumers were willing to pay a premium for products containing added nutritional benefits.

The same study ranked these benefits and found energy enhancement, illness prevention, heart health, anticancer effects, relaxation, mood enhancement and sexual enhancement were the most desirable. With interest in these kinds of products higher than ever, the future looks bright for this category.

The 1990s fueled a health and lifestyle revolution that resulted in consumer demand for foods and beverages that provide both nourishment and good taste, at the right price. The beverage industry, with functional drinks, has successfully met those desires by selling a broad range of products juices, energy drinks, smoothies, soy-based beverages, enhanced isotonics, enhanced water, teas that fulfills a nutritional need.

Claims for many of these drinks have not been proven and the amount of added ingredients is neither standardized nor identified on the label. And their safety optimal doses, interactions and long-term consequences isn’t known. Some skeptics believe the best approach for healthy living and feeling energetic is to eat healthfully, get regular physical activity and give yourself time to relax.

US consumers spent more than $25 billion dollars on wellness drinks in 2005, making up 12% of all soft drinks spending across the US and Europe. The market represents a major opportunity for drink marketers, as consumers become aware of the link between diet and lifestyle.

What is important about the Wellness Industry? How about the definition: wellness is anything that makes you feel healthier, stronger, see better, hear better, feel better, or fight symptoms of ageing. The Sickness Industry has a definition that is more in line with healthcare: anything concerned with being sick and treating symptoms of sickness.

The Sickness Industry has little to do with preventing illness, being stronger or healthier which increases the popularity of the functional health beverages and food products. People are tired of popping pills for everything that ails them and are taking a more holistic or as some say looking at alternative health treatments rather than the traditional medical care that most of us have grown accustomed to.

The Wellness industry is going through a boom. Before the end of this decade, it is estimated that the Wellness industry may surpass the dot.com revolution. This is an exciting time.

Whether its drinks or spreads, yogurts or desserts, functional foods and beverages are among the fastest-growing categories in the food industry. If this looks like the 80s all over again, this newly discovered health trend has got to be the strongest yet. Consumers approach to health is different this time; it is more aggressive, sophisticated, and here to stay.

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Acai Berrie Super Health Cleanse

September 1st, 2008
smoothie health benefits
mike herring asked:


Acai berry, the fruit used for Acai Berry cleanse, is likewise known as Euterpe Oleracea. It is a little dark purple fruit with strong resemblance to grapes. The fruit yields very little juice, but the little juice extracted has immense goodness and can be added with smoothies, beverages and with supplements used for a variety of proposes, beginning with energy increase to weight loss. It is after particular study of Acai Berry and analysis of its medical medicinal properties that it was introduced into the market. Its presentation was successful, and soon many big companies added it to products to raise their benefits.

Scientists discovered Acai Berry to contain more than 300% more antioxidants than fruits like common grapes or blueberries. This high antioxidant content makes Acai Berry cleanse very beneficial for man. As we live and breathe, we take in oxygen. The iron present in our blood reacts with this oxygen to result in free radicals. The free radicals released this way speed up the aging process of our body. So, the more the number of free radicals in your body, the quicker you get old. Conversely, the less the level of free radicals, the slower you age. This is what Acai Berry cleanse does for our body - it represses the amount of free radicals and hampers the ageing process.

There are also various ways you can gain from Acai Berry cleanse. Rich in helpful fatty acids like Omega 6 and Omega 9, Acai Berries can also be useful in reducing the threat of heart problems. Blood cholesterol regulation and blood circulation also affected positively by Acai Berry cleanse. Your metabolism also benefits from Acai Berry cleanse, which in turn results in weight loss. Acai berry also helps in improving your reproductive health.

You will also find many more useful factors in Acai Berry - like phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, Vit-B1, Vit-B2, Vit-B3, Vit-C, and Vit-E - minerals and vitamins that are essential for the complete functioning of your body. There are few fruits that contain so many vitamins together.

Acia Berry cleanse is truly fantastic. One simple fruit and so many benefits! And the best thing is, there is no side effect connected with Acai Berry Cleanse. In the present day world of pollution, it is even more important to use safe health-friendly therapeutics like this. You can find the goodness of Acai Berry added in many smoothies, health drinks and other consumables. So what are you waiting for? Gain from the use of Acai Berry cleanse, and ensure yourself a better wellness today!

Get your Acai Berry Cleanse and start to lose weight and feel great Today.

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Aloe Vera Benefits To Your Health

August 28th, 2008
smoothie health benefits
Shakil Zaman asked:


Aloe vera is a plant that is a member of the lily family. It has very succulent type appearance. The water storage capacity of these plants is very impressive as they can almost double in size after a heavy rainfall period. Also this plant is self repairing which means that if for whatever reason there is a tear in a leaf the plant will almost immediately begin to repair itself to prevent moisture loss. The dry regions of Africa is where the majority of aloe plants can be found.

There are literally hundreds of different varieties of aloe plants however only a handful are considered to offer great nutritional value and potential health benefits. The barbadensis miller variety of the aloe is considered by many to be one of the most beneficial as far as nutritional and health benefits are concerned. Aloe is primarily consumed as a drink but it is used in many other commercial applications and it is a great skin moisturizer as well as useful in providing the scalp with nutrients and thus can help people with dandruff problems.

Aloe has been reported to offer many health benefits including greater energy levels and endurance, improved immune function and better digestion. Aloe Vera gel has over 78 nutrients including over 20 minerals, several amino acids and numerous vitamins. Scientists are only just beginning to discover the power of Aloe Vera gel and its potential health benefits. However those that use aloe vera regularly in their diet report many health benefits.

In fact there are many that grow the plant right in their backyard. If the region you live in has dry climate then this plant could grow well there. Once the plant matures they simply slice a leaf off and extract the gel and mix it with a fruit drink or smoothie of some sort. There are many that believe aloe vera is the best herb as far as health benefits are concerned. It has been shown to be effective at reducing the levels of bad cholesterol, helping people with arthritis since it has powerful anti inflammatory properties and it also has the effect of alkalizing and neutralizing the generally acidic environment in most people’s bodies.

It can also be useful at lowering blood pressure and providing the body with a great surge of essential nutrients that the body can absorb easily and use right away. Aloe vera can also be used in many first aid kits since it has great antibacterial properties and it has also been used to make many bandages. It is also great at lubricating the digestive tract and helping to keep you regular. It is critical to keep the colon moving because if things do start to get clogged then you may be setting yourself up for many potential health problems so if you suffer from constipation then aloe may help you.

Athletes can benefit from drinking aloe as it is a natural energy booster and will help to give you greater endurance. This is a far better alternative than taking risky supplements that can have many negative side effects. Aloe vera gel can also be applied directly to the skin as it is a fantastic natural moisturizer.

It is best to look for an aloe supplement that is made free of pesticides as these products tend to be of higher quality, look for the organic kinds if possible. Aloe vera gel can also be used as a preservative, for instance by dipping some of your fruits or vegetables in the gel it can increase shelf life significantly especially if the fruits and vegetables are of the organic type which tend to ripen and spoil much faster. Consider aloe vera gel as a natural herbal supplement to help you attain better health.

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winter equivalent of a smoothie?

August 27th, 2008
smoothie health benefits
geeky_mommy asked:


All through spring and summer I love smoothies both for taste and health value and have one nearly every day. Between fruit being out of season and not wanting to drink something so cold, I do not find them so appealing in the winter. Are there any warm drinks with similar health benefits and easily customizable taste so I can change things up if one gets boring? Thanks in advance

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Which is the healthiest drink?

August 7th, 2008
smoothie health benefits
Jenny asked:


When I’m thirsty, should I drink water, milk, or pure fruit juice/smoothie? Which has the most health benefits, overall? And why, if you’d be so kind.

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Health benefits of frozen fruit vs fresh fruit?

June 23rd, 2008
smoothie health benefits
?SaucyGymDiva? asked:


Hi everybody.
I am very much into working out and eating properly. However, I do have a tendency to get some really bad night cravings for ice-cream! Basically what I do is take frozen blueberries, a banana, and some fat free milk and blend them together to make a smoothie. I have found that this “tricks” my sweet tooth into thinking I’m eating ice-cream even though I am not. But now I’m starting to wonder…is there a significant difference between fresh fruits versus frozen fruits or are they the same no matter what we do with them?

Thank you for your time!

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A Smoothie Road to Health

June 11th, 2008
smoothie health benefits
Thomas Fox asked:


There are many ways you can diet, or just plain eat healthier, without it being boring. Great examples of these are blended or ’smoothie’ drinks. These beverages, if prepared properly, offer an enjoyable taste and health experience all in one.

A smoothie is a drink that can also be a meal replacement. It consists of a combination of liquids and solids blended down into a smooth mixture. Hence, its name, which is also apropos for the feeling of ease one gets while drinking one.

Health authorities recognize smoothies that are low in fat, and rich in beneficial fruit.

However, there are numbers of ways you can make smoothies. Recipes abound for making your own fresh vegetable smoothie, vitamin and herbal smoothie, as well as ones of different fruit combinations. We often receive reminders to get the necessary servings of vegetables and fruit into our daily diet.

A smoothie is one great way to do it. As a weight-loss tool, this type of beverage offers the bulk required to give you a satisfied ‘full’ feeling while eating low-cal at the same time. A typical diet smoothie will have low-fat milk and non-fat yogurt as part of its make up. It’s a great way to ‘drink yourself slim’.

To give yourself a lift you can add your favorite fruit to a smoothie as the natural sugars will provide the boost you need. A fresh fruit smoothie is helpful when you feel that mid-afternoon decrease in your energy level at your place of work. In fact, workplace productivity receives its own boost when workers are operating at peak performance levels due to increased energy and alertness. Numerous websites offer free recipes for nutritious fruit smoothies.

With increased energy levels and a general feeling of alertness and well-being there is less chance of depression taking over one’s life. Studies show that supplements can help reduce fatigue and promote energy, which in turn can stave off bouts of depression. Therefore, adding these to your smoothie recipe can help your mental and emotional health as well.

For vegetarians and vegans, healthy smoothies offer an additional healthy diet alternative. A fresh smoothie with spinach added provides needed nutrients and provides a source of energy for the day. Spinach is a powerful natural product giving these elements and the fruit blend can mask the taste of the spinach if it’s not your favorite vegetable.

Fresh smoothies with added herbs and vitamins such as B-12, ginkgo biloba, and echinacea are also popular. These and other herbs and vitamins give a smoothie an extra kick that can help boost a person’s work performance. Herbs such as echinacea have many benefits. “Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that echinacea contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects.”

Gaining in popularity as a natural smoothie additive is wheatgrass. This is in powder form made from young wheat plants. It’s benefits are the vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and chlorophyll it contains. A sprig of mint is also a nice flavoring item for a fresh fruit smoothie.

A smoothie is definitely a better beverage to take ‘to go’ during your workday, compared to a can of soda or a cup of coffee. As an after dinner, healthy dessert, a supplement can provide the needed boost to keep you vibrant and energized for an assortment of activities and even the nocturnal ones with your paramour!

That’s reason enough to explore this healthy drink alternative.

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